The Portland Timbers look like they might have one of the best defenses in Major League Soccer once again this season.

The Timbers gave up only four goals over seven games in the preseason and didn’t allow a single goal from the run of play.

Other teams had trouble even finding open chances against Portland’s defense and Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, the 2013 MLS goalkeeper of the year, didn’t have to make many difficult saves during the preseason.

“We’ve had a lot of success out of the run of play,” Timbers defender Jack Jewsbury said. “Obviously, one of the things we want to get better on is set pieces because we have given up some there, but we’re not giving up a lot of chances and that is a positive.”

The Timbers set club record in shutouts (15) and fewest goals allowed (33) in 2013 with the help of one of the stingiest back lines in MLS.